Perth

My annual summer visits to Perth to spend time over Christmas with family give me an opportunity to reflect on how the city has changed in the time since I left nearly 15 years ago. I get the impression that it has hit a level of confidence and style that is genuinely impressive.…

Another hometown family visit. More reminders of the Perthness of Perth. Drivers either aggressively tailgate you for doing the speed limit in the left lane or do 50 in a 70 zone in the right lane. Some restaurants have no idea how terrible they are.…

My friends at VJ Zoo did a big Christmas projection in Subiaco in Perth, which included projecting drawings made by children from the local primary school. These are three of the best drawings: alien santa, crack santa and santasaurus.

I have revisited the suburb of my youth, East Victoria Park in Perth. While many things have changed, and gentrification is underway (sadly thirty years too late for my liking), many things remain familiar.

The main street through the suburb, Albany Highway, used to be a wasteland of car yards and gangland kebab shops with a few Chinese restaurants.…

I was living in Leederville when Kailis Brothers opened their fish market and restaurant on Oxford St, and at the time it was an exciting addition to the compact Leederville precinct. When visiting Perth recently en route to Albany to attend a wedding, and with the intention of introducing some Perth and Melbourne friends, all of whom love seafood, Kailis seemed the perfect venue for lunch.…

While holidaying in Perth recently I joined friends at La Cholita, Perth’s new modern Mexican bar restaurant, which is similar to Mamasita. It’s also similar to Taqueria in London, as all exemplify one of the current world food trends – taking Mexican street food into a new environment.…

A year ago I enjoyed the food if not the entire experience at Mela Indian restaurant on William St in Perth, and it was with some bemusement that I found myself there again earlier in the week. The best Chinese and Vietnamese restaurants in the are were closed, and my friend and I had already eaten at those that were open.…

The photo below, on a wall on High St Fremantle, represents the old Perth drinking culture: lots of beer and a bit of macho violence. In contrast, the new small bar culture that is evolving in Perth is exciting and impressive to see.…

When walking along St George’s Terrace in Perth on my summer holiday there last month I was surprised to see the Greenhouse bar that had been installed temporarily in Federation Square. I stopped in to have a drink with friends (I never got to try it in Melbourne).…

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